June 25, 2011. (Romereports.com) The Vatican has confirmed that this year's World Youth Day in Madrid is officially on the pope's travel plans. On Thursday August 18th, the pope makes his entrance to Madrid. After landing at the airport at noon, he will greet the youth lining the streets from the popemobile.
That evening there will be a welcoming ceremony with the pope in Madrid's Independence Plaza.
On Friday, Benedict XVI will meet with young religious sisters at the monastery of “El Escorial”. He will then speak to 1000 college professors to discuss the role they play in educating the youth. That night the Via Crucis will be displayed, showing the 14 stations of the cross that will arrive from different parts of Spain.
On Saturday morning, the pontiff will hold a special Mass in the Madrid Cathedral for young men who are considering becoming a priest. In the afternoon he will visit a center for the sick that's run by the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God.
And then the main event will take place at Cuatro Vientos Aerodrome, there will be a Eucharistic adoration and a vigil with the young people, some of whom which will be camping there overnight.
On Sunday, Benedict XVI will hold a final Mass with thousands of bishops and priests and announce the meeting place for the next World Youth Day.
He will then end the day by meeting with volunteers and thanking them for their work and give a final farewell at the airport before returning to Rome.
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